CNA’s are extraordinary individuals that have more one on one contact with patients than any other healthcare professional. That is why there are such strict standards on training in order to be certified to do the work.
But if you ask most people what a CNA does, they will probably talk about changing diapers in a nursing home somewhere and changing out bedpans. The truth is there are many more aspects to doing the work of a CNA than just changing diapers and bedpans. CNA’s are some of the hardest working people in any healthcare facility.
If you are planning on becoming a CNA, then you should be aware of the duties that are going to be involved. The first thing you are going to realize is that you will need to be physically fit in order to do this work. CNA’s are on their feet from anywhere between 10 to 14 hours during a shift, and the extra lifting and moving of patients can cause quite a lot of issues for people that can’t handle it. You will need to determine if you are going to work part time or full time as well to make it easier to determine the shifts you work.
CNA’s will be the ones that are doing the personal care for the patients. This can include everything from giving shots to rotating immobile patients. You might also find that you will be bathing people that can’t make it to the shower and helping elderly patients make it to the toilet. There will be times when you will need to change out bedpans and diapers, but there is also a compassionate aspect that will be dealt with as you interact with each patient. It’s this aspect of being a CNA that most people are drawn to.
Being a CNA is a highly rewarding job for those that are fit to do the work. This doesn’t mean just physically fit, either. You will need to have a compassionate aspect to you that a lot of people just can’t manage in order to take care of sick and elderly patients, and give them the attention they deserve to have while they are in the health care facility that you are working.